PUKEKOHE'S NEW LOAN SCHEME.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 175, 19 May 1916, Page 3

PUKEKOHE'S NEW LOAN SCHEME.

Water System Remodelled.

Accuracy of Minutes Questioned.

Cr Patterson Resigns.

The initial stages of the consideration of the new loan proposals formulated by the Pukekohe Borough Council weie marked by a sudren development at the Council meeting on Wednesday last as, although in sympathy with the scheme, Cr Patt-.raon tendered his resignation as a member of the Council as a protest against an alteration decided on by the Corjcr.l of a certain portion of the minutes, as recorded by the Town Clerk, ot a special meeting held "in committee on May Bth last

The minutes of the meeting referred to revealed the Council's project for a loan, which, briefly, is that the proprety Known ai Hickey'a Dam, in the vicinity of the Roman Catholic Church, shall take the place of the existing Power House as the source of the borough's water supply and the water thence to be forced by meani of a powerful ram to a new reservoir to be constructed en Boose's Bosh on the eastern Bide of the line, near tte Nursing Home. In addition, provision is proposed to be made in the loan for road and street improvements and towards adapting the present Power House as a genera'ing station for

the supply of electric current for public lighting, acd there is a suggestion to al-o acquire a further partion of Roose's Bush for the purposes of a public recreation ground The record of the minutes shoved that the Mayor. first submitted particulars of an agreement entered into with Mr J Hickey tor the sale

by him to the Council for £3OO cash .of a part of bis land and for rights to dam the water, and, further, of an agreement made with Mr E Rooee for tbe purchase of 291 acres of the projeriy known as Koose'a Bush for tbe sum of £ISOO, £IOO to be paid in cash and the balance within ten yeais at five per c:nt. Following this, Cr Hubbard moved, and tbe Mayor eeconded, and it was cmied, "That this Cojec 1 adopt the waterworks schema, drawn up

in WyaU's report," and on the motion of Uf Hubbard, seconded by x Cr Bilkcy, it was agreed "l'bat Mr Mickey's offer to sell land and water rights for £3OO te accepted." Tbe next item on Ue minutes wts as follows: "It was moved ly Cr Patterson, and seconded by Cr Road lev, 'That Mr Roose's offer to sell 29i acres for £ISOO be accepted.' An amendment was moved by Cr Hubbard, and seconded by the Mayo-, 'That the Council purchase one acre from Mr Rocse for

a reservoir cite for £3OO and take an option over the wh le property at £ISOO for three months.' The amendment was lost and tbjm.tion was carried." In conclusion, it having been moved by Cr Pattersor, seconded by Cr Baiter, and ajtred

that tfce meeting should proceed to formulate a scheme, it.was carried on the motion ct' tbe.Mayor, seconded by Cr Hubbard, "That the £BOOO loan fce allocated for £4OOO tor watfv, £ISOO for lighting, and £2500 for road and s'reet improvements,"

When the minutes, as ab ve, had been read, Cr Hubbard queEtioned their accuracy, stating that be understood that Cr Patterson's motion to boy the 29 i acres from Mr Roose was lost acd tbat tbe amencment moved by him (Cr Hubbard) to puichase one acre and to take an option over the balance 'for three months was carried instead of tbe reverse being the case as appeared on the minutes The Mayor supported Cr Hubbard's view and stated that tbe day following the meeting he conveyed a communication to that effect to Mr Kcose

Cr Patterson claimed that tbe minutes asresd were correct and that his motion bird been carried Cr Hubbard moved, and the Mayor seconded, that the minutes should be altered to read that the amendment was carried

Cr Roadley said that although he seconded tbe motion his belief was that tbe amendment was carried

Cr Bitkey gave it as bis impression that fee motion was carried although be opposed it Cr Patterson contended that the notes as taken by the Town Clerk were accurate, and that the Council were not entitled to alter them. "It is 1.0 use," he added, "coming here night after right for things onlj to be altered."

Cr Hubbard's motion to alter the minutes having been adopted, Cr Patterson alone dissenting, the latter hurriedly wrote out a letter and after handing it to the Mayor departed from the Council Chamber

Cr Patterson's letter was then read arid was to the effect that be tendered his resignation as a member of the Council

The Mayor expreseei regret at the actioD taken by Cr Patterson, saying ihat r.o one was infallible and that all were liable to mistakes, but Cr l'atterson's colleagues were honestly under the impression ihat it was the amendment that had been carried Cr Hubbard suggested that Cr Patterson Bhould be asktd to recongldcr his resignation. 11*> moved accordingly.—Cr Bilkcy seconded, jini the motion was carried Cr Motion subsequently gave notice that he intended to move at the next meeting that the Council should only buy the one acre of Kocsj's Bush, viz , for the purposes of a reservoir, and not the balance of the property for recreation ground purposes. His reason, he said, was that the portion offered the Council was found not to be what tfcey had expected aa the vendor propised to retain to himself the best part of the bush. It the whole bush had been included i,i the offer it would have been a different proposition

NCINEKKINU EXPERT TO ADVISE

er stage in the me e etioi{ as read from Mr Wyatt, Waterworks Erginecr, Ptiraating that the cost of the v,ticr scheme, a 9 submitted by him i the Council, would be £:3y(JB

Cr Mutlon moved that they should frigate, a skilled hydraulic engineer lo verily Mr WyattV report and figure?. In going before the rat. paycre, he said, the Council's case would be strengthened by expert

advice and verification having been secured with the result, he believed, that the loan would be approved Cr Barter seconded and supported Cr Motion's arguments. Ihe course proposed, he stated, would be in no way derogatory to Mr Wyatt, but their chances of success would be better if they called in an outaide eogicesr ot repute Cr Koadley supported, saying that it, was only right that the Council should conduct the ratepayers' business on thorough business lines

Cr Buhba-d expressed bis confidence thai Mr Wyatt'a schems would be en.oraed by any expert engaged

Th.3 Mayor urged that with the appointment of an Ergineer the Council should make up its mird to cairy the scheme through in spite of evertybmg and in any eventuality. I'he water problem had from early days been the causa of trouble in the borough and was also responsible fir the creation ot the outer and inner area friction and it should be disposed of once and tur all. He therefore appealed to tee Cour.cil to carry the scheme out whether by means of a loan or by way of recourse to an overdraft.

Cr Hubbard: I understand we intecd to carry the scheme through Cr Koadley: "Hear, hear." Ihe resolution was then carried unanimously Cr Hubbard next proposed that Mr D W McArthur, engineer to the Piako County Council, should be engaged as the engineering expert. The scheme', he said, Mr McArthur had c rried out included waterworks at Waihi and also a £300,000 scheme "on tte other side," and he could speak confidently ot bis abilities. Mr McArthur, he added, was also a skilled bvdraulic engineer.— Cr Baiter seconded and the motion was agreed to